ABANDONED HISTORY: H. Knapp, M.D., Water-Cure physician

Dr. H. Knapp was a practitioner of alternative medicine, based in Niagara County. He was also a lecturer on the new medicine known as hydropathy and the evils of the “old school medicine.”

In the early 1850s, Knapp had an office at the corner of Church and Grand streets. In another listing in 1854, he had an office over Days Variety Store, where he was promoted as a Water-Cure physician and surgeon.

Hydropathy was a therapy that used water to treat a disease or condition. Hot, tepid and cold water was often used with mineral water, bath and/or water under pressure, as part of the treatments. Versions of hydropathy are still used today.

Water-Cure Therapy had wide ranging claims of its benefits. Cures for pains, insomnia, mental disorders, addictions and arthritis were frequently mentioned.

Knapp was a frequent contributor to the The Water-Cure Journal, an early publication by New York City-based Dr. Joel Shaw that focused on products, physics, facilities and water-cure treatments.

Here is an entry by Knapp in the Water-Cure Journal, Vol. 15, No. 1:

“... Old fogies and drug doctors will receive no money at my hands. I expect to start a Water-Cure at Niagara Falls in the Spring. Thus you see I am unsettled just now. When I get the apparatus you shall hear from me again. — Respectfully, H. Knapp, M.D.”

That was published in 1853, but there is no record of Knapp ever opening a facility in the Falls.

Here is another journal submission by Knapp, in Vol. 17-20, October 1855:

“Lecturers: The subscriber having purchased the most splendid and extensive lecturing apparatus in the world, comprising the best French Manikins, Skeletons, (models) of all parts of the (human) system, and extensive specimens of Morbid Anatomy of all kind of diseases with over fifteen hundred superior paintings and drawings, brilliantly illustrating in life-like colors every part of the system and characters of life, all of which have recently been transported from Paris, is prepared, from a long experience in public lecturing, to give courses of scientific, useful, and amusing lectures on the laws of Health and Philosophy of Life. Literary societies and others wishing for his services, will be attended to by addressing him at Lockport, Niagara Co., N.Y. — H. Knapp, M.D.”

Knapp was a prolific writer on the treatment of diseases by the Water-Cure. Here is a quote from one of his lengthy articles on the subject. 

“Eight years experience in Hydropathy has suggested to me many changes in the use of water, that I have found improvements on the early methods of using it. The first change I would mention, and which I deem the most important, is the use of tepid instead of cold water. I am certain that injury has been done, not only to individuals, but to the Water-Cure system, by the too free use of cold water.”

After 1855, Knapp’s Water-Cure practice was not found in any Lockport, N.Y., directories.

¢¢¢

Thanks to the Niagara County Historian’s Office for its assistance with this research.

¢¢¢

Mubu’s Summer Costume Party will be held from 10 a.m. to noon July 16 at the Museum of disABILITY History, 3826 Main St., Amherst. Children of all ages are invited; dress up and have fun! There will be a costume contest, crafts, book readings, snacks and the like.

“Grave Matters,” a presentation on cemetery restoration work by the Western New York Association of Historical Agencies, will be held at 9 a.m. July 30 at the museum.

For more information, or to reserve spots at either event, call 629-3626.

Lockport native Jim Boles is a senior researcher with the Museum of disABILITY History, focused on early care and healing in Niagara County. His US&J column “Abandoned History” is published every other Wednesday.